Then things took a sharp turn.

At that time, Tao Mian did as he promised and sent the child to a family he knew in the mortal world.

This couple ran a business and had been childless for many years. Tao Mian had once helped them drive away evil spirits, and in gratitude, they would send gifts to Peach Blossom Mountain during festivals.

Knowing that this couple had always wanted a child, Tao Mian thought it was perfect to send the found child to them. The kind couple did not mind the child's old wounds and instead loved him dearly, naming him Xue Han.

With a family he knew well, Tao Mian felt at ease leaving the child with the Xue family. He had helped a lonely child and repaid the couple's kindness, accomplishing two good deeds.

Afterward, he returned to Peach Blossom Mountain and never took the initiative to visit the child again.

Little Tao Immortal thought he shouldn't interfere too much in Xue Han's life. Since he had found a good family, his mission was complete.

But Xue Han didn't see it that way.

His adoptive parents treated him extremely well, without fault. The Xue family was well-off, and as their only son, Xue Han lived a life of luxury and had a tutor to teach him reading and writing.

Though his days at the Xue residence were peaceful, Xue Han never forgot his savior.

He asked his adoptive parents about Tao Mian, but they gave him little information, only saying he was an Immortal living in the mountains, detached from worldly affairs, and rarely came down.

Xue Han nodded, thinking Tao Mian simply found children troublesome and didn't want to see him.

No matter, he could go see Tao Mian himself.

The Xue family adored their only son but didn't indulge his every whim. For something like traveling, he had to wait until he was of age.

Xue Han wasn't the type to throw tantrums; instead, his painful childhood had made him mature early, far more cunning than his peers. He followed his parents' and teacher's guidance, worked diligently, and earned their trust.

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So, on the day he turned twenty, he left the Xue residence and headed to Peach Blossom Mountain.

Peach Blossom Mountain was truly a paradise on earth, with mist like gauze and layers of flower shadows.

Surrounded by simple, honest villagers, the elegantly dressed Xue Han seemed out of place.

He frowned and didn't linger in the village. After asking for directions to Peach Blossom Temple, he set off alone.

The Taoist Temple was nestled quietly and serenely among the peach groves.

He stepped forward and knocked on the door, but there was no response.

It seemed Tao Mian wasn't there.

Feeling he had come in vain, Xue Han couldn't help but feel disappointed. He planned to wander the mountain, hoping he might chance upon an Immortal.

Unexpectedly, he really did encounter the Peach Blossom Immortal.

Tao Mian looked exactly the same as in his memories, still exuding an elegant and carefree demeanor, dressed in an indigo robe, like a figure from a painting who had accidentally fallen into the mortal world.

He strolled leisurely among the blooming peach trees, at ease and unrestrained.

Standing not far away, Xue Han felt a surge of joy and took half a step forward.

But then he hesitated and stepped back.

Little Tao Immortal was walking his path when suddenly, the branches above rustled, and a young boy hung upside down, blocking his way.

"Shi Fu—"

The boy called out cheerfully, and the startled Tao Mian couldn't help but laugh. He told the boy not to be mischievous and ruin his flowers. The boy's expression changed, and he sneakily hid two or three flower branches of varying lengths behind his back.

Tao Mian noticed but said nothing, only flicking the boy's forehead.

They laughed and descended the mountain together.

That day, Xue Han stood for a long time, not knowing how many hours passed. When he came to his senses, his legs were even a bit numb.

...

"Do you know what I was thinking back then?"

Xue Han asked leisurely, looking at the tightly bound Immortal, who didn't respond, only glaring defiantly.

"I was thinking... one day, I'll cut down all those damn trees on your damn mountain."

"…"

Tao Mian sprang up but was forced to sit back down by the tightening Binding Immortal Rope.

"What do the trees have to do with it? Xue Han, you're just taking out your anger!"

"It's not much, I just find them unpleasant."

Tao Mian almost wanted to wring his hands.

"Little Xue, oh Little Xue, how did you go from being such an innocent child to such a twisted adult? Where did it all go wrong..."

Xue Han recalled his growth.

After returning from Peach Blossom Mountain, he became much quieter. The Xue family gradually let him take over the family business, and he had a knack for it, thriving in the trade.

He no longer mentioned anything about Tao Mian, as if he had completely forgotten him.

Until Gu Yuan passed away, and Tao Mian received a lot of "retirement money" left by his disciples. Tao Mian wasn't good at managing it, so he asked the Xue family to introduce someone to help.

That's when Xue Han volunteered to take over the shops and estates.

At that time, Tao Mian thought, Xue Han is like family, so he trusted him with everything, content to be a hands-off manager.

Xue Han, however, had his own motives. The Immortal always wanted to sever ties with the mortal world, but he refused to let the Immortal have his way.

He thought that with enough time, his relationship with his savior would inevitably grow closer.

...

Then Lu Yuandi appeared.

"Gu Yuan was one thing, but Lu Yuandi is a princess of the former dynasty, full of trouble," Xue Han gritted his teeth at the mention, "You say you don't want to attract trouble, yet you take in a royal orphan as a disciple?"

Tao Mian smiled awkwardly.

"She stole my chickens, I couldn't just let her go. It was a forced situation."

"So it seems you only pay attention to people if they owe you something?"

"Your thinking is skewed. Speaking of which, if you're so unhappy, why did you tell me you could save Sui Yan? You don't reject him?"

"No," Xue Han smiled slightly, "I equally despise every disciple you take in."

"…"

Tao Mian suddenly perked up, his legs bound, but he hopped towards the exit.

He had to escape quickly; Xue Han was even more twisted than a few years ago.